Toggle navigation
Palos Dental Center
Leslie A McKane DDS  | Richard J McKane DDS | Joseph Mardjetko DDS


12721 South Harlem Avenue Palos Heights, IL 60463
Phone: (708) 448-9416  Fax: (708) 448-9423
Email: [email protected]ail.com

  • blog
  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Request an Appointment

  • Home
  • Staff
  • Office
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Contact Us
  • Appointment Request
  • Patient Education

My Blog

Posts for: March, 2017

Game, Set, Match: Milos Raonic Says A Mouthguard Helps Him Win

By Palos Dental Center
March 27, 2017
Category: Oral Health
Tags: celebrity smiles   mouthguards  
GameSetMatchMilosRaonicSaysAMouthguardHelpsHimWin

When you’re among the top players in your field, you need every advantage to help you stay competitive: Not just the best equipment, but anything else that relieves pain and stress, and allows you to play better. For top-seeded Canadian tennis player Milos Raonic, that extra help came in a somewhat unexpected form: a custom made mouthguard that he wears on the court and off. “[It helps] to not grind my teeth while I play,” said the 25-year-old up-and-coming ace. “It just causes stress and headaches sometimes.”

Mouthguards are often worn by athletes engaged in sports that carry the risk of dental injury — such as basketball, football, hockey, and some two dozen others; wearing one is a great way to keep your teeth from being seriously injured. But Raonic’s mouthguard isn’t primarily for safety; it’s actually designed to help him solve the problem of teeth grinding, or bruxism. This habitual behavior causes him to unconsciously tense up his jaw, potentially leading to problems with muscles and teeth.

Bruxism is a common issue that’s often caused or aggravated by stress. You don’t have to be a world-class athlete to suffer from this condition: Everyday anxieties can have the same effect. The behavior is often worsened when you consume stimulating substances, such as alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, and other drugs.

While bruxism affects thousands of people, some don’t even suspect they have it. That’s because it may occur at any time — even while you’re asleep! The powerful jaw muscles that clench and grind teeth together can wear down tooth enamel, and damage both natural teeth and dental work. They can even cause loose teeth! What’s more, a clenching and grinding habit can result in pain, headaches and muscle soreness… which can really put you off your game.

There are several ways to relieve the problem of bruxism. Stress reduction is one approach that works in some cases. When it’s not enough, a custom made occlusal guard (also called a night guard or mouthguard) provided by our office can make a big difference. “When I don’t sleep with it for a night,” Raonic said “I can feel my jaw muscles just tense up the next day. I don’t sense myself grinding but I can sort of feel that difference the next day.”

 An occlusal guard is made from an exact model of your own mouth. It helps to keep your teeth in better alignment and prevent them from coming into contact, so they can’t damage each other. It also protects your jaw joints from being stressed by excessive force. Plus, it’s secure and comfortable to wear. “I wear it all the time other than when I’m eating, so I got used to it pretty quickly,” said Raonic.

Teeth grinding can be a big problem — whether you put on your game face on the court… or at home. If you would like more information about bruxism, contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can learn more in the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Stress & Tooth Habits” and “When Children Grind Their Teeth.”


0 Comment(s) Permalink

Know the Risks and Benefits for Same-Day Tooth Replacement

By Palos Dental Center
March 19, 2017
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: dental implants  
KnowtheRisksandBenefitsforSame-DayToothReplacement

While there’s usually a period of months between implant placement and the permanent crown, a new technique known as same-day tooth replacement installs both the implant and a temporary crown during the same visit. But be advised — it does have its risks and isn’t for everyone.

Successful same-day replacements require special attention during the three phases for implants: the removal (extraction) of the existing tooth; placement of the implant in the bone; and attachment of the crown, the visible tooth, to the implant. The tooth extraction lays the foundation for the entire process; the extraction procedure must be performed carefully to avoid undue damage to the socket. In addition, if infection or disease has compromised the site, an implant may not be possible immediately.

The implant must then be placed in the bone so that it’s stable and immovable. All implants stabilize with time as the bone grows and adheres to them, but we need greater stability for a same-day tooth replacement when an extraction is performed.

Our last consideration is positioning the implant so that the attached crown blends in naturally with the surrounding gum tissue and adjacent teeth. We must place it at the proper depth below the gum tissues so that the crown appears to emerge from them in the proper tooth length.

Taking extra care during all these phases, including the angle of crown attachment, will increase our chances of success. We still run a risk of implant damage or failure, however, from biting forces before the implant fully integrates with the bone. This means avoiding chewy foods and other situations that might increase the force on the implant. We may also use a temporary crown that’s slightly shorter than adjacent teeth so it won’t make full contact with the opposing tooth.

If you’d like to know if you’re a good candidate for a same-day tooth replacement, see us for a detailed examination. After reviewing your needs, we’ll be able to discuss with you the risks and benefits for a new look in one day.

If you would like more information on same-day tooth replacement, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Same-Day Tooth Replacement with Dental Implants.”


0 Comment(s) Permalink

No "Glee" in Tooth Grinding

By Palos Dental Center
March 04, 2017
Category: Oral Health
Tags: celebrity smiles   tooth grinding  
NoGleeinToothGrinding

Sure, it’s big news when celebs tweet selfies from the dental office… if you’re still living in the 20th century. But in Hollywood today, it’s harder to say who hasn’t posted snaps of themselves in the dentist’s chair than who has. Yet the pictures recently uploaded to Twitter by Mark Salling, the actor and singer who regularly appears as Noah “Puck” Puckerman on the popular TV series Glee, made us sit up and take notice.

“Getting my chipped tooth fixed. Also, apparently, I’m a big grinder,” read the caption. The photo showed a set of upper front teeth with visible chips on the biting surface. What’s so special about this seemingly mundane tweet? It’s a great way of bringing attention to a relatively common, but often overlooked problem: teeth clenching and grinding, also called bruxism.

Although bruxism is a habit that affects scores of people, many don’t even realize they have it. That’s because the condition may only become active at night. When the teeth are unconsciously ground together, the forces they produce can wear down the enamel, cause chipping or damage to teeth or dental work (such as veneers or fillings), or even loosen a tooth! While it’s common in children under 11 years old, in adults it can be a cause for concern.

Sometimes, mouth pain, soreness and visible damage alert individuals to their grinding habits; other times, a dental professional will notice the evidence of bruxism during an exam or cleaning: tooth sensitivity and telltale wear and tear on the chewing surfaces. Either way, it’s time to act.

Bruxism is most often caused by stress, which can negatively impact the body in many ways. It may also result from bite problems, the overuse of stimulating substances (caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs), and as a side effect of certain medications. Sometimes, simply becoming aware of the habit can help a person get it under control. Common methods of stress reduction include exercise, meditation, a warm bath or a quiet period before bedtime; these can be tried while we monitor the situation to see if the problem is going away.

If stress reduction alone doesn’t do the trick, several other methods can be effective. When bruxism is caused by a minor bite problem, we can sometimes do a minor “bite adjustment” in the office. This involves removing a tiny bit of enamel from an individual tooth that is out of position, bringing it in line with the others. If it’s a more serious malocclusion, orthodontic appliances or other procedures may be recommended.

When grinding is severe enough to damage teeth or dental work, we may also recommend a custom-made night guard (occlusal guard), which you put in your mouth at bedtime. Comfortable and secure, this appliance prevents your teeth from being damaged by contacting each other, and protects your jaw joints from stresses due to excessive grinding forces.

Whether or not you have to smile for a living, teeth grinding can be a big problem. If you would like more information about this condition, call our office to schedule a consultation for a consultation.


0 Comment(s) Permalink


April (2) February (2)
Subscribe to our RSS Feed

Archive:

  • 2019
      • February (2)
        • Take Care of Your Gums, Take Care of Your Heart
        • Local Anesthesia Takes the Pain Out of Most Dental Work
      • January (3)
        • NBC Star Delivers a Message about the "Perfect" Smile
        • Professional Cleanings Help you Maintain Healthy Teeth and Gums
        • Why the Ointment You're Using Could be Making Your Facial Rash Worse
  • 2018
      • December (4)
        • Here are the Facts on the Impact of Metal Allergies on Dental Work
        • Bobby Bones Dances His Way to Dental Damage
        • Dental Visits are Key to Detecting Early Developing Tooth Decay
        • Stop Root Cavities with Prevention and Prompt Treatment
      • November (3)
        • 4 Things to Know About Diabetes and Gum Health
        • Singer Dua Lipa Sees the Wisdom in Postponing Tour Dates
        • Effective Dental Care Depends First on Getting the Big Picture
      • October (3)
        • The Laser Revolution is Changing the Dental Healthcare
        • Some Blood Pressure Medications May Affect Your Oral Health
        • Why Big Bang Theory Actress Mayim Bialik Couldn't Have Braces
      • September (3)
        • 3 Things Your Dentist Recommends You do if You Have Shingles
        • A Teen's Missing Tooth May Require a Temporary Replacement
        • Think You Have Sleep Apnea? Find Out for Sure to Get the Right Treatment
      • August (3)
        • Margot Robbie Knows: A Great Smile Is Worth Protecting
        • Here's What to Do if Your Child has a Toothache
        • Dentures Still an Effective Restoration for Total Tooth Loss
      • July (3)
        • Don't Take a Vacation From Oral Hygiene This Summer!
        • Baseball's Francisco Lindor Shines as "Mr. Smile"
        • An Implant-Supported Denture Offers a Number of Advantages
      • June (3)
        • Avoid These 4 Health Problems with One Simple Denture Practice
        • 3 Areas to Watch to Avoid Excessive Tooth Wear
        • Steely Dan Founder's Death Highlights Importance of Early Cancer Detection
      • May (3)
        • Diabetics with Gum Disease Benefit from Coordinating Treatment for Both
        • Not a Fan of Using CPAP for Your Sleep Apnea? Consider an Oral Appliance
        • Certain Mouth Rashes Don't Respond to Topical Steroid Treatments
      • April (2)
        • In Today's NFL, Oral Hygiene Takes Center Stage
        • Not Crazy about Flossing? Try a Water Flosser
      • March (3)
        • Local Anesthesia Eliminates Pain Completely During Dental Work
        • Irritating Cold Sore Outbreaks can be Controlled Through Medication
        • Jimmy Fallon Can’t Catch a Break - Except in His Tooth
      • February (1)
        • Dentures Require Planning and Attention to Detail to Look Natural
      • January (3)
        • Why You Shouldn't Worry About the Mercury in Your Silver Fillings
        • New Year's Resolutions You Can Keep
        • Charlize Theron Back in Action After Dental Surgery
  • 2017
      • December (2)
        • Living with HIV includes Keeping a Close Watch on Your Oral Health
        • Use These Techniques to Enjoy Healthy Foods Even with a Jaw Joint Disorder
      • November (2)
        • RPDs Offer Another Tooth Replacement Option for those on a Tight Budget
        • Jamie Foxx Chips a Tooth - This Time by Accident!
      • October (3)
        • Toothbrushing Tips
        • The Secret to Preventing Gum Disease - Control Bacterial Plaque
        • Keep Your Saliva Flowing - Your Oral Health Depends on it
      • September (2)
        • (Don't) Break It Like Beckham
        • Regular Flossing not Your Thing? Try an Oral Irrigator
      • August (2)
        • 2.6 Million Fans 'Like' Justin Bieber's Chipped Tooth
        • Stop Gum Disease Before it Threatens Your Dental Implant
      • July (2)
        • Expert Advice: Vivica A. Fox on Kissing and Oral health
        • 3 Cutting Edge Ways You Could Benefit from Dental Implants
      • June (2)
        • Giancarlo Stanton Gets Major-League Mouth Protection
        • Not All Bacteria are Harmful to Oral Health
      • May (2)
        • Vivica's Veneers: the Making of a Hollywood Smile
        • While Usually Benign, Lichen Planus Lesions Should Still be Examined
      • April (2)
        • Fifth Harmony's Camila Cabello Chips a Tooth, but Concert Still "Worth It"
        • A Solution for Restoring Adequate Bone for Dental Implants
      • March (3)
        • Game, Set, Match: Milos Raonic Says A Mouthguard Helps Him Win
        • Know the Risks and Benefits for Same-Day Tooth Replacement
        • No "Glee" in Tooth Grinding
      • February (2)
        • Plagued by Mysterious Mouth Ulcers?
        • Any Time, Any Place: Cam Newton's Guide to Flossing
      • January (2)
        • Choosing a Screw or Cement to Attach an Implant Crown
        • Neil Patrick Harris: What the Oscars Host Treasures Most
  • 2016
      • December (2)
        • Teeth Grinding Could be Causing Your Teeth to be Loose
        • Noah Galloway's Dentally Dangerous Dancing
      • November (2)
        • Changes in Bone Structure can Affect Denture Fit
        • Kathy Bates Plays It Smart With Professional Teeth Whitening
      • October (2)
        • Limiting Refined Sugar in Your Diet can Reduce Risk of Tooth Decay
        • Jason Derulo's Ideal Match
      • September (3)
        • Artificial Sweeteners can Boost your Dental Health
        • Life Is Sometimes a Grind for Brooke Shields
        • Keeping up Good Hygiene Still a Necessity with Dental Implants
      • August (2)
        • Dental Magic Transforms Smiles
        • Diet and Lifestyle Choices Key to Dental Health During College Years
      • July (2)
        • Johnny's Teeth Aren't Rotten Any More
        • Proper Brushing and Flossing Removes Disease-Causing Plaque
      • June (2)
        • A Toothless Tiger?
        • Know the Kind of Smile You Want Before Cosmetic Dental Treatment
      • May (2)
        • Tom Hanks' Abscessed Tooth Gets Cast Away
        • To Prevent Tooth Decay, Practice Effective Brushing and Flossing
      • April (2)
        • Eden Sher and the Lost Retainer
        • Get a Handle on Stress-Related Tooth Grinding to Stop Tooth Damage
      • March (2)
        • Dr. Travis Stork: Don't Ignore Bleeding Gums
        • 3 Tips for Minimizing Enamel Erosion from Sports Drinks
      • February (3)
        • Beyonce Makes Flossing a Family Affair
        • Saliva Performs Many Functions for Both Oral and General Health
        • Actor David Ramsey Discusses Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
      • January (2)
        • A Bird's-Eye View of Tooth Replacement
        • Master Illusionist Benefits from the Magic of Orthodontics
  • 2015
      • December (2)
        • The Implant Process can be Shortened, Depending on the Tooth Type
        • America's (Dentists) Got Talent - for Fixing Damaged or Missing Teeth!
      • November (2)
        • Know the Benefits - and Limitations - of Your Dental Insurance Plan
        • Dwight Howard: A Bright NBA Star With a Smile to Match
      • October (3)
        • Limit Sugar in Your Diet for Better Oral and General Health
        • Actor David Ramsey Says: Don't Forget to Floss!
        • Setting the Record Straight on Root Canal Treatments
      • September (2)
        • Chrissy Teigen's Teeth-Grinding Troubles
        • Other Factors Besides Hygiene Could Contribute to Gum Disease
      • August (2)
        • Even Celebrities Like Jennifer Lawrence Aren't Immune From Bad Breath!
        • Temporary Tooth Replacement with Flexible Partial Dentures
      • July (2)
        • Sofia Vergara: 'Obsessed' With Oral Hygiene
        • Taking the Dread Out of Dental Visits
      • June (2)
        • Nancy O'Dell on Making Oral Hygiene Fun for Kids
        • Changing Antibiotic Use Today will Help Ensure Their Effectiveness Tomorrow
      • May (2)
        • Spice Up Your Teeth
        • Preventing Dental Disease Starts with Assessing Your Unique Risk
      • April (2)
        • What Made American Idol Finalist Elliott Yamin Smile?
        • Oral Health Can Prove Challenging in Your Senior Years
      • March (2)
        • Olivia Newton-John Learned Healthy Oral Habits From Mom
        • Paying Attention to Certain Factors Helps Ensure Successful Implant Outcomes
      • February (2)
        • The Tiger and Mike Tyson's Teeth
        • Teeth Make a Picture-Perfect Smile
      • January (2)
        • A Royal Fix
        • Word Quiz on Oral Hygiene
  • 2014
      • December (3)
        • Take a Lesson From Hockey Player Mike Bossy
        • Keeping the Lid on Acid to Protect Your Tooth Enamel
        • Padma Lakshmi's Smile: A Recipe for Beauty
      • November (2)
        • Cosmetic Dental Options - Time For Change
        • Giuliana Rancic Prepares for Her Son's First Dental Visit
      • October (2)
        • Winning the Battle Over Tooth Decay
        • Actress Florence Henderson: You Are Never Too Old To Straighten Your Teeth
      • September (2)
        • Determining the Real Cause of Jaw Pain is Key to Effective Treatment
        • How to Impress Supermodel Bar Refaeli
      • August (3)
        • What in the World is Geographic Tongue?
        • John Lennon's Tooth Sold at Auction for $31,200!
        • The Sweet and Lowdown on Sugar Substitutes
      • July (2)
        • How The Biggest Loser Star Jillian Michaels Keeps Her Winning Smile
        • Red Wine and Tooth Staining
      • June (2)
        • Shaquille O'Neal's Slam Dunk Against Sleep Apnea
        • Spruce Up Your Smile With Teeth Whitening
      • May (1)
        • Early Orthodontic Care Helped Child Star Nolan Gould Get Ready for Prime Time
      • April (2)
        • Be Sure Your Dentist Knows You're Undergoing Aspirin Therapy
        • Replacing Missing Back Teeth Is Important - Just Ask Christie Brinkley!
      • March (3)
        • FAQs About Calming Your Fears With Oral Sedation Dentistry
        • How Taylor Hicks Keeps His Smile Bright
        • Welcome Blog

Tags

  • celebrity smiles (57)
  • teeth whitening (4)
  • sedation dentistry (2)
  • oral sedation (2)
  • dental implant (1)
  • medication (1)
  • aspirin (1)
  • orthodontic treatment (2)
  • cosmetic dentistry (9)
  • snoring (3)
  • sleep apnea (3)
  • oral health (17)
  • nutrition (5)
  • oral hygiene (19)
  • geographic tongue (1)
  • orthodontics (5)
  • jaw pain (1)
  • tmj (1)
  • tmd (1)
  • braces (5)
  • clear aligners (1)
  • tooth decay (9)
  • pediatric dentistry (2)
  • smile makeover (2)
  • dental injury (6)
  • mouthguard (2)
  • bonding (1)
  • dental implants (12)
  • antibiotics (1)
  • pediatric care (1)
  • partial denture (2)
  • bad breath (1)
  • gum disease (7)
  • teeth wear (1)
  • root canal (1)
  • sugar (1)
  • insurance (1)
  • chipped teeth (1)
  • tooth replacement (1)
  • missing teeth (1)
  • saliva (1)
  • teeth grinding (3)
  • stress (1)
  • abscessed tooth (1)
  • crowns (3)
  • artificial sweeteners (1)
  • dentures (5)
  • dental emergency (1)
  • wisdom teeth (2)
  • ulcers (1)
  • canker sores (1)
  • tooth grinding (1)
  • mouthguards (2)
  • bone grafting (2)
  • chipped tooth (3)
  • lichen planus (1)
  • oral cancer (2)
  • veneers (1)
  • bacteria (1)
  • athletic mouthguards (1)
  • flossing (2)
  • salvia (1)
  • plaque (1)
  • partial dentures (1)
  • tmj disorders (1)
  • hiv (1)
  • tooth pain (1)
  • fillings (1)
  • porcelain veneers (1)
  • cold sore (1)
  • anesthesia (1)
  • mouth rash (1)
  • diabetes (2)
  • tooth wear (1)
  • toothache (1)
  • retainer (1)
  • bridge (1)
  • shingles (1)
  • blood pressure medications (1)
  • medicine (2)
  • laser dentistry (1)
  • dental care (1)
  • metal allergies (1)
  • dental cleanings (1)
  • local anesthesia (1)

Categories:

  • None (1)
  • Dental Procedures (57)
  • Oral Health (79)

Our Location

12721 South Harlem Avenue
Palos Heights, IL 60463
(708) 448-9416

Map & directions

Office Hours
Monday:7:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Tuesday:7:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Wednesday:7:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Thursday:7:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Friday:7:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Saturday:7:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Sunday:Closed
  • Home
  • Staff
  • Office
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Patient Education
  • Contact Us
  • Appointment Request
  • Dental Web Design Copyright © MH Sub I, LLC dba Officite
  • Disclaimer
  • Patient Privacy
  • Site Map